Friday, October 22, 2010

While walking down the street one day a Corrupt Senator was tragically hit by a car and died.

His soul arrives in heaven and is met by St. Peter at the entrance.

"Welcome to heaven," says St. Peter. "Before you settle in, it seems there is a problem. We seldom see a high official around these parts, you see, so we're not sure what to do with you."

"No problem, just let me in," says the Senator..

"Well, I'd like to, but I have orders from the higher ups. What we'll do is have you spend one day in hell and one in heaven. Then you can choose where to spend eternity."

"Really?, I've made up my mind. I want to be in heaven," says the Senator.

"I'm sorry, but we have our rules."

And with that, St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell.

The doors open and he finds himself in the middle of a green golf course. In the distance is a clubhouse and standing in front of it are all his friends and other politicians who had worked with him.

Everyone is very happy and in evening dress. They run to greet him, shake his hand, and reminisce about the good times they had while getting rich at the expense of the people.They played a friendly game of golf and then dine on lobster, caviar and the finest champagne.

Also present is the devil, who really is a very friendly guy who is having a good time dancing and telling jokes.

They are all having such a good time that before the Senator realizes it, it is time to go.

Everyone gives him a hearty farewell and waves while the elevator rises...

The elevator goes up, up, up and the door reopens in heaven where St. Peter is waiting for him, "Now it's time to visit heaven.."

So, 24 hours passed with the Senator joining a group of contented souls moving from cloud to cloud, playing the harp and singing. They have a good time and, before he realizes it, the 24 hours have gone by and St. Peter returns.

"Well, then, you've spent a day in hell and another in heaven. Now choose your eternity."

The Senator reflects for a minute, then he answers: "Well, I would never have said it before, I mean heaven has been delightful, but I think I would be better off in hell."

So St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell..

Now the doors of the elevator open and he's in the middle of a barren land covered with waste and garbage. He sees all his friends, dressed in rags, picking up the trash and putting it in black bags as more trash falls from above.

The devil comes over to him and puts his arm around his shoulders.

"I don't understand," stammers the Senator. "Yesterday I was here and there was a golf course and clubhouse, and we ate lobster and caviar, drank champagne, and danced and had a great time. Now there's just a wasteland full of garbage and my friends look miserable. What happened?"

Oct 16, 2010

Anti-Obama billboard taken down

GRAND JUNCTION (Colorado) - A BILLBOARD in western Colorado that used caricatures to depict President Barack Obama as a terrorist, gangster, Mexican bandit and a gay man has been taken down.

The sign along an Interstate 70 business loop in Grand Junction drew criticism from local Republicans and Democrats. The artist, Paul Snover, of nearby Loma, says he has received what he calls 'very hateful' e-mails and phone calls.

Mr Snover has said he couldn't reveal who paid for the billboard.

The Daily Sentinel said he couldn't be reached on Friday to explain why it was removed.

The owner of a company where the sign was erected says she's glad it's gone because it attracted such a crowd. -- AP

Thursday, October 14, 2010

We need to have strong representation from our community this Saturday, October 16th at the Moving Massachusetts Forward Rally with President Obama!

The African community needs to be seen and heard in large numbers at this event and we need your help in making this possible. Attend the event and be sure to bring a friend or two with you.

In addition to having a large turnout at this event, we are also recruiting for volunteers and volunteer captains on that day. Please RSVP to Volunteer by Friday, October 15th at 10am by CLICKING HERE to be confirmed as a volunteer. Also note that volunteers need to report to Hynes Convention center by 8am on Saturday.

We highly recommend that you please RSVP with us for the event by either CLICKING HERE or calling us at 617-544-7422, ASAP. It is also advised that you arrive early since doors will open at 12:30 but admission will be on a first come first serve basis. You are also advised not to carry bags since there will be security screening.

We look forward to seeing you on Saturday! Let's make our voices heard, our presence seen and our power felt!Thank you.

.-- The Governor's African Council (GAC) is an independent community initiative that aims to strengthen the African Voice in Massachusetts through political and civic engagement. GAC's objective is to unify and increase the participation of the African community in the Massachusetts political processes and build a voice that can advocate for the community's needs.If you are interested in learning more or being a part of building the GAC, please email us at gaccampaign@gmail.com or call us at 617-5447- GAC.

The U.S. Embassy is issuing this Warden Message to alert U.S. citizensin Tanzania to two independent security concerns.

Recently there have been a series of pirate attacks on vessels in theIndian Ocean near the Tanzanian coast. In light of these attacks,American citizens are advised to carefully weigh the risks whenconsidering sailing in merchant vessels, fishing boats and recreationalcraft.

Additionally, the U.S. Embassy advises American citizens to exercisecaution as Tanzania prepares to hold national elections on October 31.While the overall situation is calm, American citizens resident ortraveling in Tanzania during this period are reminded to maintain a highlevel of security vigilance at all times and avoid political rallies,demonstrations, and crowds. U.S. citizens should monitor the situationvia media sources, including TV and radio when possible, and via theinternet.

American citizens living or traveling in Tanzania are encouraged toregister with the U.S. Embassy through the State Department's travelregistration website, to obtain updated information on travel andsecurity within Tanzania. Citizens without Internet access may registerdirectly with the nearest U.S. Embassy. By registering, Americancitizens make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case ofemergency. The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Tanzania can becontacted by telephone at [255] (22) 266-8001 x 4122 and fax at [255](22) 266-8238. You may also contact the U.S. Embassy in Tanzania viaemail at drsacs@state.gov. For after hours emergencies, U.S. citizensshould call [255] (22) 266-8001.

U.S. citizens may also call the Office of Overseas Citizens Services inthe United States for the latest travel information. The Office ofOverseas Citizens Services can be reached from 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.Eastern Daylight Time, Monday through Friday, by calling 1-888-407-4747from within the U.S. and Canada, or by calling (202) 501-4444 from othercountries.

Talk show Queen Oprah Winfrey has said she is "profoundly disappointed" at the acquittal of a woman accused of sexual assault at the talk show hosts South African school for teenagers.

Tiny Virginia Makopo, the former school matron, was accused by the prosecution of 14 counts of sexual assault, including trying to fondle and kiss the girl students at the school. She was also charged with assaulting one of the pupils and a fellow supervisor at the college.

Prosecutor Etienne Venter has after the trial, "She was found not guilty on all of the charges," and according to Sapa news agency, Venter would not be seeking an appeal against the court’s ruling.

South Africa's National Prosecuting Authority spokesman Mthunzi Mhaga commented that: "The magistrate indicated that the state did not prove itself case beyond reasonable doubt on all the charges. We won't be appealing the judgment."

The allegations first arose around the matron at Oprah’s $40 million school, or “Leadership Academy” soon after it opened just outside South African capital Johannesburg in 2007.

Oprah has said that she was "shaken to the core" by the scandal, and the claims of sexual abuse at a place she had thought would be a refuge. She said that it was one of the most devastating periods in her life.

She was recorded Monday saying that the staff at her school are "committed to providing a nurturing educational environment so that all of our girls may continue to flourish. And they are indeed thriving".

Video footage of African runners (Boston Marathon?)is needed to complete "Worlds Together- East Africa ForKids." Additional footage of African Olympic athleteswould be helpful. Rights to the footage needs to be secured.The series is also in need of a video assistant plus young(age 8-12) African or African American narrators.Thank you. Elmer Hawkes

INCLUDING THE DANIEL PEARL FELLOWSHIPSSince 2007, AFPF has had a partnership with Nation Media Group of East Africa. In the first three years (2007-09), The Kansas City Star hosted Nation Media Group (NMG) journalists in their newsroom for five months of on-the-job training and sent their journalists to Kenya, Tanzania and/or Uganda to provide one month of training and direct newsroom mentoring to Nation Media Group employees. This year, the Missouri School of Journalism and its newspaper the Missourian, will host NMG’s reporter exposing him to innovations in journalism.

The Alfred Friendly Press Fellowships (AFPF), an American non-profit, non-governmental organization, is a cultural and professional exchange program for journalists. Through AFPF, journalists and their readers gain a broader view of the world and journalism thereby creating mutual understanding and peaceful relations between Americans and people of other nations. Fellows return home with new journalistic skills and knowledge, and a desire to advance a free, responsible press in their own countries–without which democracy does not exist. Read more about this at: www.pressfellowships.org

Current full-time employment as a journalist for the news or editorial departments of independent newspapers, wire services, online publications, or magazines of general public interest in a developing country or an emerging market;

At least three years of full-time professional experience as a journalist in the print/online media;

Citizenship of a developing country or an emerging market;

Early to mid-career status and between 25 and 35 years old;

A demonstrated personal commitment to a career in journalism in a developing country or an emerging market;

Ability and desire to share what is learned on the fellowship with other journalists at home;

Endorsement from the management of the home publication;

An excellent command of both written and spoken English as all activities are conducted in English.

Microsoft Word 6.0/95 fill-in form (preferred method)Click here to download this file: 2011 fill-in application (Word)If you have Microsoft Word 6.0/95 or higher installed on your computer and want to use this program to fill out required fields, choose this option.

When you click on the above link, a dialogue box will appear, asking you if you want to OPEN, SAVE or CANCEL. Choose a location on your computer and SAVE. Open the file using Microsoft Word. Enter your information in Microsoft Word by typing in each gray box. Save, print and sign in pen.

Microsoft Word documentClick here to download this file: 2011 printable application (Word)If you have Microsoft Word installed on your computer, but you want to print out the application form and fill it in by hand or using a typewriter, choose this option.

When you click on the above link, a dialogue box will appear, asking you if you want to OPEN, SAVE or CANCEL. Choose a location on your computer and SAVE. Open the file using Microsoft Word. Print and fill in by hand or by using a typewriter.

Paper copy of applicationContact AFPF Program Manager at info@pressfellowships.org to request that a paper copy of the application be mailed to you via postal mail. We will send paper applications until July 1, 201

Washington (CNN) -- The United States apologized Friday for a 1946-1948 research study in which people in Guatemala were intentionally infected with sexually transmitted diseases.

A statement by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Secretary of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius called the action "reprehensible."

"We deeply regret that it happened, and we apologize to all the individuals who were affected by such abhorrent research practices," the joint statement said. "The conduct exhibited during the study does not represent the values of the United States, or our commitment to human dignity and great respect for the people of Guatemala."

President Barack Obama called his Guatemalan counterpart Friday "offering profound apologies and asking pardon for the deeds of the 1940s," President Alvaro Colom told CNN en Espanol in a telephone interview from Guatemala City.

"Though it happened 64 years ago, it really is a profound violation of human rights," said Colom, who said the report took him by surprise.

An international, independent commission will carry out an investigation, he said.

Clinton called him on Thursday, he said. "She too offered her apologies," he said, adding that she told him she was ashamed the United States had been involved in the matter.

Asked whether Guatemala was planning to take legal action, Colom said, "That's part of the work of the comission."

"We reject these types of actions, obviously," said Guatemala presidential spokesman Ronaldo Robles. "We know that this took place some time ago, but this is unacceptable and we recognize the apology from Secretary Clinton."

The study came to light recently when Wellesley College researcher Susan Reverby found the archived but unpublished notes from the project.

The scientific investigation, called the U.S. Public Health Service Sexually Transmitted Disease Inoculation Study of 1946-1948, aimed to gauge the effectiveness of penicillin to treat syphilis, gonorrhea and chancres. Penicillin was a relatively new drug at the time.

The tests were carried out on female commercial sex workers, prisoners in the national penitentiary, patients in the national mental hospital and soldiers. According to the study, more than 1,600 people were infected: 696 with syphilis, 772 with gonorrhea and 142 with chancres.

A similar study was conducted between 1932 and 1972 in Tuskegee, Alabama, on nearly 400 poor African-American men with syphilis whose disease was allowed to progress without treatment. The subjects were not told they were ill with the disease.

The Guatemala study was done under the direction of U.S. Public Health Service physician John C. Cutler, who later ran the Tuskegee experiment, said Dr. Francis Collins, director of the U.S. National Institutes for Health.

Collins told reporters that the Guatemala study represented "a dark chapter in the history of medicine."

U.S. officials said Friday that ethical safeguards would prevent such abuses from occurring today.

"The study is a sad reminder that adequate human subject safeguards did not exist a half-century ago," the U.S. statement said. "Today, the regulations that govern U.S.-funded human medical research prohibit these kinds of appalling violations."

Clinton and Sebelius said the United States is launching an investigation and also convening a group of international experts to review and report on the most effective methods to make sure all human medical research worldwide meets rigorous ethical standards.

"As we move forward to better understand this appalling event, we reaffirm the importance of our relationship with Guatemala, and our respect for the Guatemalan people, as well as our commitment to the highest standards of ethics in medical research," the U.S. statement said.

About Me

I worked for Tanzania's Daily News for 11 years leaving as a Senior Reporter. I love acting, films, short story writing and cooking. I blog in English and Swahili. I am a member of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and AFTRA.
You can contact me at chemiche3@yahoo.com.